STREAMLINING PROVIDER ENROLLMENT AND CREDENTIALING PROCESSES

(a) The commission shall streamline Medicaid provider enrollment and credentialing processes. (b) In streamlining the Medicaid provider enrollment process, the commission shall establish a centralized Internet portal through which providers may enroll in Medicaid. (c) In streamlining the Medicaid provider credentialing process, the commission may: (1) designate a centralized credentialing entity; (2) share information in the database established under Subchapter C, Chapter 32, Human Resources Code, with the centralized credentialing entity; and (3) require all Medicaid managed care organizations to use the centralized credentialing entity as a hub for collecting and sharing information. (d) The commission may: (1) use the Internet portal created under Subsection (b) to create a single, consolidated Medicaid provider enrollment and credentialing process; and (2) if cost-effective, contract with a third party to develop the single, consolidated process.